Orotara, the capital city of the Nausir Empire.
The Elf capital has more than one name, the most widely known being Silverbranch City.
This city is not only the royal capital of Nausir, but also the heart of the entire Orotara.
Legend has it that when the first Royal Court of the Elf erected the first pillar here, the entire giant tree was covered with silvery-white blossoms. Over the long years that followed, the blossoms remained exactly as they had when they first bloomed, thanks to the Elf ' careful nurturing.
The name Silverbranch City comes from this, and it has always been Nausir's proudest city.
During Nausir's most prosperous era, countless adventurers seeking romance and beauty traveled far and wide to reach the city. Even those not allowed to enter were willing to wait on distant hills, just to catch a glimpse of the silvery-white flower crowns and branches.
However, at this moment...
Inside the city, a somber atmosphere, starkly contrasting with its beautiful exterior, was pervading the area.
Silverbranch City, in the Moon Court Council Hall.
The bright moonlight shone through the stained glass dome, illuminating the area as if it were underwater. Hanging vines and clusters of white flowers cascaded down from between the beams and pillars, creating an elegant scene.
Elf Queen Yise Zeya of the Elves sat in the center.
Her eyes were very distinctive, with pale silver irises that seemed to conceal two miniature full moons.
But at this moment, both full moons are filled with weariness.
"You should all already know what happened on the Theresia Continent."
" The Orc Empire is gone. Overnight, Cantum was wiped off Bernardo, and within half a month, the Sacred Aura's fleet began transporting settlers, incorporating them into the Empire's territory."
"I think, without me reminding you, the next target of the Sacred Aura might be us."
17
"Elders, what are your opinions on this?"
The Elf Queen looked around.
Centered on her, there were concentric circles of tiered seats, from low to high, with Elf seated in each circle. The colors of their robes varied, representing their rank in the council.
The meeting room fell silent for a moment after hearing the Queen's words.
A moment later, an Elf elder dressed in a dark brown robe slowly stood up.
This elder was very old, with many wrinkles on his face and a white beard that reached his chest. Even among the long-lived Elf race, he was an elderly man.
However, the Elf race has another tradition.
Unlike short-lived races, they do not fear aging; on the contrary, living to the end is considered a fulfilling life.
old.
In the cultural context of Elf, it often signifies profound experience and high moral standing.
The Grand Elder bowed slightly to the Queen, then slowly spoke, saying, "Your Majesty's words are indeed sobering, but precisely because of this, we need to consider things carefully rather than make decisions in a state of panic and haste."
"We should first figure out the true intentions of the Sacred Aura, what their self-interest is, where their bottom line is, and what means they intend to use to implement their will. At the same time, we must also assess whether we have a chance of winning if we really confront the Sacred Aura, or whether we are qualified to negotiate."
"If we don't have a chance of winning, do we have the right to negotiate? What are our bargaining chips? And what chips will the other side value?"
".
He stroked his long beard and said slowly and deliberately, "All of this requires sufficient time and intelligence. Decisions made without time are like drinking poison to quench thirst; hasty decisions will only push Nausir into an even more dangerous situation."
Considering the long term----
Upon hearing those four words and the Elder's long-winded speech, Yise Zeya felt a throbbing pain in her temples. She had heard these words far too many times, to the point that she now felt an instinctive resistance to them.
At this moment, another female Elf elder spoke up.
She was a little younger than the Grand Elder, but her face was also full of wrinkles, making her one of the older Elf.
"The Grand Elder is right; I agree with him."
She nodded in agreement, saying, "Forests need time to grow; a blade that is too sharp will only harm the wielder."
"The relationship between Nausir and the Sacred Aura is extremely complex and requires careful consideration and repeated weighing of all factors. We must not act rashly, lest we be like a deer eager to cross a river, stepping into the mire on the other side before we have even seen it clearly."
"We should carefully consider every possibility before making a decision."
What kind of time is this to still speak in this unhurried tone, piling up countless rhetorical devices and metaphors as usual?
Yise Zeya remained silent, unsure of what to say.
A sense of powerlessness quietly crept into my heart.
She let out a barely perceptible sigh and closed her eyes slightly.
For a moment, she had a fleeting feeling that she was sitting on the same throne, listening to the same speech, only at a different time.
It's happening again.
It will always be like this.
When Sacred Aura was first elevated to an Empire, the elders discussed whether to extend a diplomatic olive branch to Sacred Aura; later, they discussed whether to support Atlan Demon War; and still later, they discussed whether to form an alliance with the Red Emperor's Empire.
Each time, it was a long-term plan.
No matter what the issue is, it needs to be raised, discussed, and analyzed repeatedly until every member of the parliament is certain that they have expressed enough opinions before a conclusion can be reached.
However, by then, the best opportunity has often already passed.
The Elf Queen felt utterly powerless in the face of this.
She knew better than anyone that Nausir's parliamentary system had problems and needed much improvement, but she also knew better than anyone that the reform itself would be a matter of indefinite deliberation by parliament.
Although the Nausir Empire is called an empire, its operation is completely different from any other empire in Bernardo.
The Elf value freedom and a relaxed lifestyle, and fundamentally do not approve of authoritarian rule.
Their culture values the right of every individual to have a voice. Therefore, from the Royal Court to the local level, any major decision must be voted on by the various levels of parliament, and any dissenting voice has the right to be recorded and heard.
In Nausir, if a dissenting member of parliament feels that his views have not been fully understood, he can reiterate his points in parliament without being interrupted by other members.
This system grants parliament enormous power, but at the same time it strips the throne of its real authority.
Even the Queen cannot circumvent Parliament's autocratic rule.
Or rather, she was merely an executor of parliamentary resolutions.
The Elf Queen looked up at an ancient inscription carved on the door.
Wisdom arises from collective opinion, and prosperity stems from unity of purpose.
This is the foundation of the Nausir Council, and it is inscribed on the door of every council chamber.
When she first ascended the throne, Yise Zeya didn't feel anything special about this statement; in fact, she thought it did fit Nausir's temperament quite well.
This system has maintained the stability of the Elf Kingdom throughout the long years of peace. Even when disagreements arise, repeated debates often lead to a consensus that is acceptable to all parties.
The problem is, these are no longer peaceful times.
The Elf Queen felt that this system was utterly terrible; it was slowly wasting Nausir's vitality and causing the empire to miss opportunities time and time again.
"Elders."
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and said in a deep voice, "Allow me to remind you all, we don't have much time left."
"The empire is in chaos. Martial law has not yet been lifted, and although riots have been suppressed in various places, they have never truly subsided. Meanwhile, the Sacred Aura has swept through the entire Theresia with thunderous force."
She looked at the elders. "Gentlemen, I would like to ask you to seriously consider a question."
"Will that Red Emperor just sit there waiting outside, content, since our parliament hasn't reached a decision yet?"
She spoke very seriously, her expression extremely solemn, hoping that her words would at least make the elders realize the weight of the matter.
However, these words still failed to resonate with the other elders.
"Your Majesty's words are perhaps a bit of an overreaction."
"The situation is far from being that tense."
The Grand Elder picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and spoke with a calm, even smiling expression, "Our relationship with Sacred Aura is not bad. We even fought side by side in the war against Cantum, and when Sacred Aura was invaded by Demon, we also sent our Destiny Rank Legendary to support them."
"Moreover, the Red Emperor prides himself on being a giant dragon of order, and believes in rules and laws."
"Even if he really wanted to take action against Nausir, given his status, he would need to find some suitable reason, a legitimate cause, before launching a formal attack. Surely he wouldn't just go through all that talk without any preamble?"
Bang!
A loud bang.
Yise Zeya slammed her hand on the table and stood up, her robes billowing in the wind.
"A famous teacher?!"
For the first time, an uncontrollable rage ignited in her eyes, which were like two full moons.
The Elf Queen angrily questioned, "What kind of being do you think the Red Emperor is?!"
"When fighting alongside us, he was indeed a reliable ally, keeping his promises and always keeping his word, saving our people from unnecessary casualties."
"But! Have you forgotten how he treated his enemies!"
" The Orc of Theresia are a cautionary tale! Did they give any warning when they went to destroy Cantum? Starfall, Cantum was reduced to ashes overnight! Do you want Nausir to suffer the same fate?"
"Do you really think that the Red Emperor cares about reasons? He doesn't need any reasons or excuses anymore!"
The elders rarely saw the Elf Queen so distraught.
For a moment, the council chamber fell silent.
Just then, a wisp of emerald green breeze swept through the hall, carrying the scent of newly sprouted grass and trees, like the first breeze of spring.
Where the wind stopped, a slender figure quietly appeared.
She wore a jade-green long dress, had a youthful face, deep eyes, and slightly raised, slender eyebrows like willow leaves, with a cool and aloof gaze.
Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind.
One of Nausir's Immortal One, the true pillar of the empire.
" Yise Zeya is right."
The Immortal One remained expressionless and said calmly, "In peacetime, the elders can decide the discussion process at will, but these are extraordinary times. Whatever you wish to discuss, we must reach a conclusion as soon as possible and cannot delay any longer."
The elders exchanged glances.
A few seconds later, an Elf slowly stood up.
The Grand Elder of the formal council had deep-set eyes, but his gaze was very sharp.
He nodded slightly to the Immortal One, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Your Majesty Caifeng, what you say is certainly reasonable. No one denies that the current situation requires our attention, and that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I agree with that statement."
"However, Your Majesty's behavior just now was truly unbecoming."
He turned around, his gaze falling on Yise Zeya, and frowned. " Yise Zeya, I've watched you grow up. I've been in this council since you were learning to walk on the late king's lap. I know how hard you've worked and how much you've sacrificed, but no matter what, how can you, as the Queen of Nausir, be so emotional?"
He slammed his fist on the table, stood up abruptly, and shouted angrily at the elders.
"If word gets out, what will people think of us Nausir? They'll think we Elf are a rude and barbaric race. Remember, your actions represent Nausir; your misbehavior disgraces the entire Nausir."
After reprimanding the Queen, he turned back to look at Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind.
"Furthermore, Your Majesty, while what you say has some merit, please allow me to remind you that your duty is to defend Nausir with your sword, not to participate in the decisions of the Imperial Council."
"This is none of your business."
"If the Immortal One, relying on their power, freely enter and leave the council and interfere in its decisions, then in the long run, will Nausir truly be a free and democratic empire, or merely a place where the Immortal One dictate everything?"
"If it is the latter, I think this is not the outcome that our sages would have wanted to see."
The Elf Elder is a Legendary Realm.
Although it hasn't reached the level of Destiny Rank, it has already achieved the Crown Rank.
This is a very high level.
However, in the face of an Immortal One, there is not much difference between Crown Rank and Destiny Rank.
But this elder still dared to reprimand the Immortal One for breaking the rules.
He even felt a little proud of it.
Just because the opponent is Immortal One, because the opponent can kill you with a single slap, does that mean you have to be subservient and dare not utter a word of disrespect?
He scoffed inwardly.
This is the mindset of the weak!
A true sage is a warrior unafraid of power, who dares to point out the mistakes and improprieties of even those who stand at the pinnacle of the Material Plane.
This is a precious spiritual legacy passed down through generations in Nausir, and it is the source of the Grand Elder's pride and integrity.
Emerald Leaf Cuts Wind remained silent.
Her gaze swept over the elders, a few bloodshot veins appearing in her pupils. She thought, "I might as well wipe out all these old fogies, let them learn what respect is with their last breath."
call!
Taking a deep breath, the Immortal One frowned, then silently transformed into a gentle breeze and disappeared from the conference room.
She wasn't good with words, but she knew very well what she would do if she stayed any longer.
Rather than letting the situation spiral out of control, it's better to leave first.
"Hahaha----"
Seeing this, Yise Zeya suddenly couldn't help but laugh.
She was so angry at the absurd scene that she laughed.
An Immortal Realm powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of power in the Material World was forced to angrily leave a group of elders who hadn't even reached the very edge of the Immortal Realm, simply because she upheld the rules, had principles, and refused to use violence against her weaker clansmen.
This is Nausir, the empire she both deeply loved and felt powerless over.
With dragons watching from the outside and curses raging from within, her elders still sat upright in the meeting room, meticulously upholding the council's charter, the queen's decorum, and the boundaries of power.
After laughing in exasperation, she suddenly felt exhausted, her laughter subsided, and she couldn't even muster the anger anymore.
Legal principles, traditions, hierarchy, etiquette----
The empire is almost gone, why bother with these things?
"Good."
Yise Zeya slowly sat down, then slowly stood up again, and said, "Elders, please continue your discussion. I won't disturb you any longer. Inform me of the results later."
After saying that, she turned and walked out of the conference room.
Bang!
She slammed the door shut and left, the door slamming shut behind her.
After a brief silence, a low murmur arose inside the room.
"His Majesty's temper is becoming increasingly impatient—"
"Young people, in the end, can't keep their composure—"
"Her Majesty Cai Feng is also a cause for concern. Too much power can easily lead one astray. She seems to have lost sight of her responsibilities. Defending the territory and participating in politics are two completely different things."
"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. Regarding the true purpose of the Sacred Aura, I believe we need to start from the Red Emperor's first visit to Orotara— "
The lengthy and tedious discussion continued.
Time stretched from dusk until late at night, and then from late at night until dawn.
The discussion in the council chamber continued, but all the issues remained at the level of what should and shouldn't be done, and no conclusion was reached.
In short, there has been absolutely no progress.
Yise Zeya stood on the long corridor outside the palace and did not return all night.
The morning mist condensed into droplets on her robe, but she didn't care. Leaning against a pillar, she looked up at the pale light gradually appearing on the horizon, her expression numb.
She thought she could do something on the throne.
But in reality, she was merely used as a figurehead, swayed by the voices of parliament, unable to convey her true thoughts.
She also tried reforms.
But let alone reforms, even the slightest movement that doesn't conform to the Queen's demeanor will be pointed out and corrected; even the suggestions of the Immortal One will be directly refuted.
However, the Immortal One of Nausir have extremely high moral standards and would never actually do anything to break traditional rules.
What can I do?
"Unless I kill all these old fogies first, I won't have a chance to make my voice heard"—she was startled by the thought that flashed through her mind, feeling it was too radical.
She couldn't help but indulge in this thought for a while, and then felt incredibly happy.
Unfortunately, reality is cruel.
The council remained under the control of these elders, and until now, no one had come to invite her back.
They probably thought that the Queen would stand outside for a while, calm down, and then come back on her own, since she always would.
Yise Zeya gazed at the sky and sighed softly.
Tired, let it all end—she thought, her gaze unfocused as she looked towards the horizon.
Just then...
Under the watchful gaze of the Elf Queen, the dawn was torn apart.
The sky seemed to be torn open by an invisible giant hand, and a sun crashed down from the crack.
No.
It's not the sun.
That was light, that was fire!
Overwhelming light and fire, accompanied by the deep might of Dragon Might, poured down from the crack, like a waterfall cascading into the sky, or like the morning glow coalescing into a burning Starfall to earth.
The entire Royal Court of Nausir was bathed in crimson light.
Then, amidst the flames and the morning light, a crimson dragon spread its wings and slowly descended from the torn sky. Its mirror-like scales reflected the rising sun, and two pairs of dragon horns spread out on its head, like a burning crown.
Among Dragonkin, his size was not considered enormous.
However, an aura of imperial majesty emanated naturally from him, causing all the Elf who witnessed this scene to instinctively feel awe and dare not be negligent in the slightest.
The dragon lowered its eyes, looking down upon the entire Elf Royal Court.
While the Elf elders were still discussing what to do next, the wings of the Lord of Sacred Aura had already covered the sky above Silverbranch City.
Behind me.
The doors to the meeting hall were pushed open, and the elders rushed onto the balcony, mouths agape, gazing up at the sky, their faces filled with shock, panic, and helplessness.
Yise Zeya, however, remained motionless like a statue, simply looking up at the dragon.
She said softly, "You see, I told you—he won't wait for you."
The elders remained silent, offering no response.
In the sky, the Red Iron Dragon's gaze swept across the Royal Court, finally landing on the moon-white figure in the long corridor.
Garos had met this Elf Queen.
During the war between Nausir and Cantum, the queen personally went to the front lines to encourage the warriors and had a brief conversation with Garos.
He has a good memory, so naturally he didn't forget.
The dragon folded its wings and slowly descended, hovering above the Moon Court. The gale whipped up by its wings stirred the silvery-white flower branches throughout the city, causing them to sway and petals to flutter down like a rain of flowers.
" Yise Zeya."
Red Iron Dragon looked down at her and said, "Many years ago, I said that one day I would come to Silverbear Royal City to admire its scenery and see this legendary city with my own eyes."
"Now, I have arrived."
"Having seen it today, I can confirm its reputation is well-deserved. The beauty of this city is worthy of every poet's praise."
Yise Zeya was momentarily dazed.
She had long anticipated that this dragon's achievements would be extraordinary, but how long has it been? He has already reached the pinnacle of all of Bernardo—
Coming to her senses, the Elf Queen said, "Although the timing is far from ideal, Silverbranch City still welcomes you."
" Relsa's flower wine, Moonspring Valley's ginkgo nuts—we will treat our distinguished guests from afar with the finest specialties of Nausir. Please do not find them lacking."
She spoke politely, with impeccable manners.
Seeing the queen's reaction, the dragon grinned, thinking that things might be much simpler from here on out.
He was about to speak.
"The Emperor of Sacred Aura!"
An old, stern voice suddenly interrupted him.
Garos paused, then slowly turned his head to look.
The speaker was an elderly Elf standing on the balcony, with a white beard reaching his chest and wearing a dark brown robe.
It was the Grand Elder of the Council, the old Elf who had just reprimanded the Queen and the Immortal One.
"We understand that you've come from afar without prior notice."
The Grand Elder stood ramrod straight and solemnly said, "However, your sudden arrival in Silverbranch City without submitting any diplomatic documents beforehand is somewhat... against protocol."
Red Iron Dragon was slightly taken aback, momentarily stunned.
Me? I'm breaking the rules? Did I hear you wrong?
" Elf."
The dragon's mask revealed no emotion, and it calmly asked, "You, are you... teaching me how to do things?"
The Grand Elder, suppressing the rising fear within him, stiffened his neck and sternly said, "As the ruler of a nation, you are the exemplar of the entire Sacred Aura. Your every word and action represents the face of the empire! How can you be so absurd, acting like a rule-breaking lone wolf?!"
When the topic turned to his area of expertise, the Grand Elder's fear subsided somewhat.
He spoke more and more fluently, regaining the confidence he had when he spoke eloquently in the council chamber.
"Emperor of Sacred Aura, if you do not wish to be ridiculed by the people of Bernardo, you would be best to return to Sacred Aura immediately and then formally visit Nausir according to normal diplomatic procedures. This is the rule that an imperial ruler should follow, and the code of conduct of the civilized world."
So brave?
This old Elf seems to have some mental issues.
Garos chuckled to himself, too lazy to bother with it.
He turned his head and looked back at the Elf Queen in the corridor, saying with a playful tone, "I had long heard of the unique characteristics of the Nausir Council. Seeing it today, the distance between the rumors and the truth is even shorter than I imagined. The scenery of Silverbranch City lives up to its reputation, and so does the style of your council."
Yise Zeya opened her mouth, but before she could speak...
What do you mean by this?!
Are you questioning the ancient traditions of Nausir?!
The Grand Elder's voice rang out again, indignantly stating, "Our long-standing tradition in Nausir has endured through countless monarchs..."
Countless wars and countless trials have passed, yet it still stands strong today! How dare you question it? As the ruler of a nation, you should be cautious in your words and actions—
He hadn't finished speaking.
The dragon suddenly turned its head, its pupils becoming vertical the instant it turned. Two dark slits split open in its previously calm eyes, like Abyss opening its eyes in flames.
Just as an eagle doesn't care about the chirping of a sparrow, and True Dragon doesn't care about the howling of a wild dog, he doesn't care about the words of the old Elf.
However, ignoring the chirping of sparrows is one thing, but tolerating sparrows hopping onto your head right in front of you is quite another.
Disrespect yourself? Fine.
As long as everyone can live in peace, Garos doesn't care much about respect for others.
But disrespect is one thing, but to keep provoking them?
This is somewhat crossing Garos's red line.
boom!
At a glance, without any warning, the Grand Elder's body lit up from the inside out, and a ball of flame exploded from his body, engulfing him completely.
The old Elf couldn't even utter a scream.
A human-shaped pillar of fire stood erect for a moment, then turned into a cloud of ashes before everyone's eyes, scattering in the morning breeze.
He was glared at and killed.
A deathly silence.
The Elf elders were deathly pale, but somehow they managed to muster something that could be called courage from their fear, and they jumped out, pointing at the dragon in the sky and shouting angrily.
How dare you!
"This is Nausir! How dare you!"
"..
The scales on the Red Iron Dragon's forehead wrinkled slightly, forming dangerous lines.
He didn't quite understand why these Elf were so bold as to dare to shout at him, but listening to their voices, the Dragon Heart felt annoyed and had lost his last bit of patience.
"Noisy."
He said this, while glancing around.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One by one, the Elf elders who had shouted in anger were set ablaze, flames erupting from their bodies, and in the blink of an eye, they were reduced to ashes amidst screams, leaving not even a scrap of clothing behind.
A morning breeze blows, and all the ashes are scattered.
" Silverbranch City was once known for its tranquility and beauty, and now it finally looks presentable."
The dragon said casually.
The remaining Elf elders were all silent, their faces ashen, their legs trembling like leaves, but none of them dared to utter another word.
Faced with an unreasonable force, so-called traditions and rules—
It didn't even weigh a wisp of ash.
They finally quieted down.
Garos turned his head with satisfaction and looked back at the Elf Queen in the corridor.
"Very good."
He said, "Now, we can get back to business."
The Elf Queen gazed at the ashes dancing in the air.
Reason told her that she should be angry about it.
In any case, these Elf elders were their own people, part of the Nausir Empire, and subjects of the empire.
She had a duty to protect her subjects and was outraged by the violence of the outsiders.
But she discovered that she didn't.
Not only was she not angry, but the pent-up frustration that had been building up inside her all night suddenly vanished, leaving her feeling lighter than ever before.
The Elf Queen reached out and smoothed her golden hair, which had been scattered by the morning breeze, tucking it behind her ear.
"Certainly."
She smiled slightly and said, "I've been waiting for a long time."
P. S.: Requesting votes for next month's tickets to secure a stable ranking.